Yup, Polly, my path report said MC, my GI said "that doesn't mean anything, we don't know what it means". Great!
Welcome Terps, you've found a great site. Just to add (maybe already mentioned...I don't have time to read all of every response), but some of us have had this problem triggered by medications. For me, I took ibuprofen frequently, although not every day. When I read that NSAIDs weren;t good for MC, I stopped the ibuprofen. My D went away. Other meds, like those for GERD, antibiotics can cause this too. If you take any of these, you might want to consider alternatives.
Having said that, I have also found out through trial and error that I'm gluten intolerant. I don't have immediate D like many here, but I get awful aches and pains.
Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Katy
Maybe now I have MC and not UC & Enterolab testing
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Okeedoke! Didn't mean to push the point there. I noticed on my biopsy report from the lab that under clinical history it said "diarrhea, evaluate for lymphocytic or collagenous colitis." So it may be that my doctor specifically made that request. Mind blowing as that may sound! Perhaps it's not routine for the lab to look for this on every biopsy unless the doctor makes the request or there is a really swift lead doctor at the lab that looks at the clinical history and provides the instruction.
Good luck with the enterolab tests. I will probably do them myself soon. Let us know what happens!
I can say for certain that ALL my symptoms improved as I eliminated various foods from my diet including gluten.
Take care,
Celia
Good luck with the enterolab tests. I will probably do them myself soon. Let us know what happens!
I can say for certain that ALL my symptoms improved as I eliminated various foods from my diet including gluten.
Take care,
Celia
I beleive in magic!
Hi Terps,
I don't want to be in the position of trying to second guess your pathologist, but it sort of sounds as if maybe he may not be trained to recognize MC, since he didn't document any observed physical characteristics of the mucosa, other than the vague observation of "very mild inflammation". Compared with Crohn's and UC, MC could be described as "mild inflammation". It affects the mucosa, but never the submucosa, as does UC, or below the submucosa, as with Crohn's.
Normally, when describing the characteristics of a biopsy specimen for which an IBD is suspected, the description will mention honest-to-goodness details, to support the diagnosis. Details such as the presence or absence of crypt abscesses, and/or mucosal ulceration, (in the case of UC), or, in the case of MC, the presence or absence of lymphocytic infiltration, or thickened collagen layers. With none of these details even mentioned, he is offering an unsupported opinion, rather than a documented diagnosis.
At least that's the way I see it.
Wayne
I don't want to be in the position of trying to second guess your pathologist, but it sort of sounds as if maybe he may not be trained to recognize MC, since he didn't document any observed physical characteristics of the mucosa, other than the vague observation of "very mild inflammation". Compared with Crohn's and UC, MC could be described as "mild inflammation". It affects the mucosa, but never the submucosa, as does UC, or below the submucosa, as with Crohn's.
Normally, when describing the characteristics of a biopsy specimen for which an IBD is suspected, the description will mention honest-to-goodness details, to support the diagnosis. Details such as the presence or absence of crypt abscesses, and/or mucosal ulceration, (in the case of UC), or, in the case of MC, the presence or absence of lymphocytic infiltration, or thickened collagen layers. With none of these details even mentioned, he is offering an unsupported opinion, rather than a documented diagnosis.
At least that's the way I see it.
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex-
I totally agree with you, the pathology report is pretty much useless. The report says nothing about the submucosa being inflamed. Basically when I found Dr. Fine's site and noticed there was a correlation between MC and gluten I figured why not give the tests a try and then maybe if I am gluten intollerant than I can just call the guessing game quits and resume life on a gluten free diet.
Does this sound realistic to you?
I totally agree with you, the pathology report is pretty much useless. The report says nothing about the submucosa being inflamed. Basically when I found Dr. Fine's site and noticed there was a correlation between MC and gluten I figured why not give the tests a try and then maybe if I am gluten intollerant than I can just call the guessing game quits and resume life on a gluten free diet.
Does this sound realistic to you?
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Hiya Terps!
Polly here, not Tex. But I wanted to say that I think your plan is not only realistic but the perfect way for you to proceed at this point. It makes sense to get the scientific documentation before committing yourself to a major lifestyle change (diet).
Polly
P.S. Did you ever have any bleeding?
Polly here, not Tex. But I wanted to say that I think your plan is not only realistic but the perfect way for you to proceed at this point. It makes sense to get the scientific documentation before committing yourself to a major lifestyle change (diet).
Polly
P.S. Did you ever have any bleeding?
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
No thankfully I never had any bleeding which makes me ponder even harder about my diagnoses with UC. I hear that MCers dont bleed.
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Terps,
I agree with Polly. You're right on target. It doesn't really matter what the disease is named, so long as you have a treatment that works to relieve the symptoms. The first order of business is to get out of the bathroom, and get on with your life. You can worry about what to call it, later.
Doctors are trained to give it a name first, and then try to figure out a treatment, (assuming that a treatment is known to them).
One other thing that the pathologist forgot to document, was the location where the biopsy samples were taken, and the characteristics of the samples, relative to their respective locations. IOW, UC is always concentrated at the distal end of the colon, and one would expect to find the most evidence there, with diminishing evidence from sites closer to the proximal end. The ascending colon, and the transverse colon, for example, would not be likely to provide much evidence of UC, whereas they would be valid locations for biopsies if Crohn's or MC is suspected.
By all means, go for the test. Once they have a sample from you, they will keep it for as long as a year, so that if you decide you want additional tests, all you have to do is let them know, (and pay for the additional test/s, of course).
Correct! MC never causes bleeding.
Wayne
I agree with Polly. You're right on target. It doesn't really matter what the disease is named, so long as you have a treatment that works to relieve the symptoms. The first order of business is to get out of the bathroom, and get on with your life. You can worry about what to call it, later.
Doctors are trained to give it a name first, and then try to figure out a treatment, (assuming that a treatment is known to them).
One other thing that the pathologist forgot to document, was the location where the biopsy samples were taken, and the characteristics of the samples, relative to their respective locations. IOW, UC is always concentrated at the distal end of the colon, and one would expect to find the most evidence there, with diminishing evidence from sites closer to the proximal end. The ascending colon, and the transverse colon, for example, would not be likely to provide much evidence of UC, whereas they would be valid locations for biopsies if Crohn's or MC is suspected.
By all means, go for the test. Once they have a sample from you, they will keep it for as long as a year, so that if you decide you want additional tests, all you have to do is let them know, (and pay for the additional test/s, of course).
Correct! MC never causes bleeding.
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
So they have poo stockpiles? Hahahahah 
THe location thing was the fault of my GI; since my colon looked ok he suspected that nothing was wrong so just took random biopsies and did not mark where they were taken from. I think about half of them came back showing mild inflammation.
Man I sure hope these tests tell me something good! Like to stop eating gluten and/or other foods and everythng will work itself out!
Thanks for all your advice guys!
THe location thing was the fault of my GI; since my colon looked ok he suspected that nothing was wrong so just took random biopsies and did not mark where they were taken from. I think about half of them came back showing mild inflammation.
Man I sure hope these tests tell me something good! Like to stop eating gluten and/or other foods and everythng will work itself out!
Thanks for all your advice guys!
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Terps!
I'd bet anything that you have MC with associated gluten sensitivity. UC's loss is our gain. HOORAY! And I'll also bet that you get results from the tests that will enable you to develop an effective treatment plan.
Just a very strong hunch and my 2 cents worth,
Polly
P.S. One of the characteristics of those with MC is knowing the location of every public bathroom within a 10 mile radius! Do you qualify? LOL! Wish I had a nickel for every time I have made a mad dash into a fast food joint or gas station just to use the bathroom.
I'd bet anything that you have MC with associated gluten sensitivity. UC's loss is our gain. HOORAY! And I'll also bet that you get results from the tests that will enable you to develop an effective treatment plan.
Just a very strong hunch and my 2 cents worth,
Polly
P.S. One of the characteristics of those with MC is knowing the location of every public bathroom within a 10 mile radius! Do you qualify? LOL! Wish I had a nickel for every time I have made a mad dash into a fast food joint or gas station just to use the bathroom.
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Terps/Celia,
Did you know that you can be gf for several months and still test positive for antibodies to gluten? In other words, it would be ok for you to start the diet again before you get your test kit, if that is your desire. However, think I'd hold off on the other things you wish to check until the stool specimen is in the mail, just in case. On the other hand, if you're going to go ahead and start the gf part, you don't want to get busy and forget to get the specimen collected. There is a point beyond which the gluten part might also go negative, according to Dr. Fine.
It takes a while to find some of the smaller amounts and remove them from the diet anyway, so that's another reason I think the antibodies remain fairly high in most of us after a month or so.
On the other hand, there's so much that you can ask this group, and probably receive an answer, plus all the other celiac sites that are helpful, that you just may be completely gf in a very short time. Also, didn't you mention something about someone in your family being celiac or am I thinking about someone else. Having someone in the family who is gf growing up seems to make it easy to know how to eat the right things.
In a way, I think you and I are going to be like twins in terms of our genetics, but that's just a hunch I have. There's another member here named Rita who has the exact same foods she reacts to as I do, and we are genetically the same in terms of the HLA markers for celiac and M.C./gs.
Yours, Luce
Did you know that you can be gf for several months and still test positive for antibodies to gluten? In other words, it would be ok for you to start the diet again before you get your test kit, if that is your desire. However, think I'd hold off on the other things you wish to check until the stool specimen is in the mail, just in case. On the other hand, if you're going to go ahead and start the gf part, you don't want to get busy and forget to get the specimen collected. There is a point beyond which the gluten part might also go negative, according to Dr. Fine.
It takes a while to find some of the smaller amounts and remove them from the diet anyway, so that's another reason I think the antibodies remain fairly high in most of us after a month or so.
On the other hand, there's so much that you can ask this group, and probably receive an answer, plus all the other celiac sites that are helpful, that you just may be completely gf in a very short time. Also, didn't you mention something about someone in your family being celiac or am I thinking about someone else. Having someone in the family who is gf growing up seems to make it easy to know how to eat the right things.
In a way, I think you and I are going to be like twins in terms of our genetics, but that's just a hunch I have. There's another member here named Rita who has the exact same foods she reacts to as I do, and we are genetically the same in terms of the HLA markers for celiac and M.C./gs.
Yours, Luce
I dont think I have anyone directly in my family who is gluten free, but I come from a rich Irish heritage which is why may grandmother suspects a gluten sensativity. Plus she has a friend who is gluten free now who had many of the same symptoms as I do.
It truely would be a blessing if I dont have UC and I can rid myself of certain foods and move onto an efficient and effective remission strategy.
I just moved to a new state about a month ago so I am still learning where all the bathrooms are. I do take imdoium so that helps out with the number of times I go per day.
I am probably going to get panels A and C and I am not sure whether the genetic testsing is included in those tests. Would it be advisable to get the genetic markers done? What exactly does that test show?
It truely would be a blessing if I dont have UC and I can rid myself of certain foods and move onto an efficient and effective remission strategy.
I just moved to a new state about a month ago so I am still learning where all the bathrooms are. I do take imdoium so that helps out with the number of times I go per day.
I am probably going to get panels A and C and I am not sure whether the genetic testsing is included in those tests. Would it be advisable to get the genetic markers done? What exactly does that test show?
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
The gene tests are done by molecular analysis, on the residue picked up by a cotton swab rubbed on the inside of your cheek. The results that are sent back will list any gene types in your sample that are known to indicate a predisposition to gluten sensitivity.
I had the test done, just so I would have the information, but I'm not sure how much the information is really worth, since a very high percentage of the people in this country, who are of European descent, will have one or more genes that indicate the potential for gluten sensitivity, and many of us have celiac genes. I believe positive results run something like around 80%. Just because you have the gene, (or genes), does not mean that gluten sensitivity is inevitable. It appears that in most cases, it is never triggered.
If you have the gene test done, please add your results to the "gene" thread, in the "Polls" forum.
Tex
I had the test done, just so I would have the information, but I'm not sure how much the information is really worth, since a very high percentage of the people in this country, who are of European descent, will have one or more genes that indicate the potential for gluten sensitivity, and many of us have celiac genes. I believe positive results run something like around 80%. Just because you have the gene, (or genes), does not mean that gluten sensitivity is inevitable. It appears that in most cases, it is never triggered.
If you have the gene test done, please add your results to the "gene" thread, in the "Polls" forum.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Since I was dx'd with UC (even though it may be false) would it be worth anything to get the Stool Test for Acute/Chronic Colitis ($49) done? I guess for an extra 49 dollars what the heck if I am already spend 369 and 99 for panels a and c
Dr Fine test shows positive for gluten and casien but negative for soy, eggs, and yeast
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Maybe its UC maybe its MC? Who knows at this point, but at least I know my intollerances now... so heres to the road to healing!
Since you have a question in your mind about the validity of your diagnosis, I would say that test would be a good investment. As tests go, it's a very low cost test. I would assume that your colitis would have to be active for the test to yield a postive result, but if you're having active D, you should qualify for a valid test result.
If I were in your shoes, I would certainly go for it, since UC is not something to be taken lightly.
Tex
If I were in your shoes, I would certainly go for it, since UC is not something to be taken lightly.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.